Tag / End Mass Incarceration

by brandycavalli

Reality Star Kim Kardashian Plans to Open Pro Bono Law Firm

I don’t follow Kim Kardashian’s career much but I definitely respect her for the work she has done with prison reform. In 2018, she used her massive platform to help free Alice Marie Johnson, a 64-year-old woman who was served 19 years in prison for non violent drug charges. I can respect that.

Keep pushing Kim, you got this!

People Magazine — Kardashian West first announced in Vogue in 2019 that she plans to become a lawyer like her father Robert Kardashian Sr. — a former high-powered attorney who notably represented O.J. Simpson in his 1995 murder trial. She is working on completing a four-year law apprenticeship and has taken the introductory bar exam, known as the baby bar.

Though she did attend Pierce College in Los Angeles, she never graduated. However, California, as well as three other U.S. states, offers a path to passing the bar without attending law school by “reading the law,” or apprenticing with a practicing lawyer or judge.

Back in May, Kardashian West told fans on Instagram that taking the baby bar exam has been “extremely difficult,” but that she would test again.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t passed yet, but I’m not giving up,” Kardashian said. “I’m preparing to take it again soon.”

Her end goal, regardless of the timeline, is clear though: “Hopefully one day I can start a law firm where we can help people pro bono and hire people who were formerly incarcerated.”

by brandycavalli

Rap Mogul Jay Z Teams With The Innocence Project To Raise $1M To Investigate Wrongful Convictions In Midwest

Hip Hop Wired — According to The Huffington Post, Jay-Z has once again partnered with The Innocence Project.

This time their focus is on the Midwest. According to the announcement Team Roc, the criminal justice division of Roc Nation, has helped raise over one million dollars for the non-for-profit organization.

Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Executive Director of the Midwest Innocence Project, called the effort “a huge investment”. As per the press release the funds will ultimately strengthen their ability to look at these cases which is going to shine a light on what the group needs to do to provide a just criminal legal system in Wyandotte County.

Back in September Team Roc filed a lawsuit against the police department in Kansas City. “The KCKPD is entrusted by the public to help maintain peace in the community. Yet, for years, it appears that officers have abused their power and engaged in wrongdoing,” the filing read. “To the extent that the KCKPD did not take any steps to remediate these issues, the public should have a right to know so they can organize and take appropriate steps to effect change.”

You can learn more about The Innocence Project here.

by brandycavalli

Dope Tweetz: Are Prisons Extorting the Prisoners?

Any thoughts on this?

I always say prison is punishment and nothing they do is for the benefit of the prisoner…. they don’t even offer rehabilitation programs anymore. Seems the system’s main concern is solely money. Prison labor is a billion dollar industry. Some call it modern day slavery. I would agree but staying out of prison seems like the ideal way to avoid the enslavement and/or extortion.

On the flip, there does seem to be a prison pipeline set in place for brown and black boys in particular. It’s such a complicated issue. I’d love to open up dialogue about it.

Thoughts?

by brandycavalli

New Anti-Slavery Resolution to the 13th Amendment Could End Forced Prison Labor

The 13th Amendment states that a person convicted of a crime can be forced to work involuntary as punishment.

Unfortunately, this loophole in the amendment has created a systemic pipeline in which mostly Blacks and brown groups are convicted and imprisoned for even petty crimes & made to perform prison labor which is essentially, re-enslavement.

The new law amendment, spearheaded by Missouri House representative William Lacy Clay, is heavily co-signed by Senator Bernie Sanders (VT) as well as MA & MD senators.

Complex Magazine —

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